Nursing Elites

1. When using the Ballard gestational assessment tool on a newborn, which of the following tests should be performed after the first hour of birth, allowing the newborn to recover from the stress of birth?

• A. Arm recoil
• B. Square window sign
• C. Scarf sign
• D. Popliteal angle

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Arm recoil. Arm recoil is slower in healthy but fatigued newborns after birth, making it best elicited after the first hour of birth when the baby has had time to recover from the stress of birth. This assessment helps evaluate neuromuscular maturity in newborns and is more accurate when performed after the initial recovery period. The other choices, Square window sign, Scarf sign, and Popliteal angle, are not specifically assessed using the Ballard gestational assessment tool and do not relate to the recovery period after birth.

2. Which of the following is a more reliable indicator of perfusion in children than in adults?

• A. Blood pressure
• B. Heart rate
• C. Respiratory rate
• D. Capillary refill

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Capillary refill is a more reliable indicator of perfusion in children than in adults. This is because children have more compliant vessels, making capillary refill a more sensitive indicator of perfusion status in this population. In contrast, while blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate are important indicators, they may not be as reliable in children as capillary refill. Blood pressure can be affected by various factors such as anxiety or pain, heart rate can be influenced by emotions or temperature, and respiratory rate may vary with activity levels. Therefore, capillary refill is preferred in children for a more accurate assessment of perfusion.

3. The nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin eye ointment to a newborn. The mother asks why this is necessary. What is the nurse's best response?

• A. It helps to prevent eye infections caused by bacteria in the birth canal.
• B. It protects the baby's eyes from bright lights in the delivery room.
• C. It prevents the development of jaundice.
• D. It helps the baby see more clearly after birth.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Erythromycin eye ointment is administered to newborns to prevent eye infections caused by bacteria present in the birth canal. This ointment does not have a direct correlation with protecting the baby's eyes from bright lights, preventing jaundice, or improving the baby's vision clarity post-birth.

4. When responding to a call for a 2-year-old child who fell from a second-story window, with the mechanism of injury and the age of the patient in mind, you should suspect that the primary injury occurred to the child's:

• A. chest.
• B. head.
• C. lower extremities.
• D. abdomen.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a scenario where a young child falls from a significant height like a second-story window, the primary injury is more likely to be to the head. This is because young children have proportionately larger head sizes compared to their body, making them more susceptible to head injuries in such falls. The chest (Choice A), lower extremities (Choice C), and abdomen (Choice D) are less likely to sustain the primary injury in this scenario, as the impact of the fall and the child's anatomy predispose the head to be the most affected area.

5. What is the most important intervention to decrease the stressors of hospitalization for a 9-month-old infant being treated for a bacterial infection?

• A. Encourage the infant's parents to remain at the bedside and actively participate in the infant's care.
• B. Provide a brightly lit environment for the infant.
• C. Play tapes of the mother's voice.
• D. Assign the same nurse to the infant as much as possible.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Encouraging the infant's parents to remain at the bedside and actively participate in the infant's care is crucial in decreasing the stressors of hospitalization for the infant. Parental presence provides comfort and security, promotes bonding, and maintains a sense of familiarity for the infant during a potentially stressful situation. This involvement can help reduce anxiety and promote better outcomes for the infant's emotional well-being and overall hospital experience. Providing a brightly lit environment (choice B) can actually increase stress for the infant, as infants generally prefer dimly lit environments for better sleep. Playing tapes of the mother's voice (choice C) may offer some comfort but does not substitute for parental presence. While assigning the same nurse to the infant (choice D) can provide continuity of care, it is not as effective as having the parents present for emotional support and bonding.

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